Suit over Silva’s death settled for $24,000

Question: What ever happened to the lawsuit filed by the parents of Kevin Silva, who died while in police custody in July 2004?

Answer: The case was settled for $24,000 last October, according to the city's legal records.

Silva's parents, Lorin and Carol, sued the city in 2005, alleging that their 24-year-son died because of the way he was treated by off-duty police officers who tried to subdue him.

On July 4, 2004, Silva, of Mililani, was at Kipapa Neighborhood Park in Mililani, where a softball tournament was being held.

According to witnesses, Silva had been lunging with knives at people, and off-duty police officers allegedly used bats to hit his legs and knock the weapons out of his heads.

The Silvas alleged their son "sustained severe and life-threatening physical injuries."

After uniformed officers arrived, Silva was handcuffed and placed in leg irons. Police said Silva lost consciousness during a ride to Wahiawa Police Station.

This update was written by Star-Bulletin reporter Laurie Au.

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